Week in Herndon

Gas line relocation in advance of an upcoming Town project will require full closure of Monroe Street, from Park Avenue to Pine Street, beginning Aug. 8, for approximately 14 days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., daily Monday through Friday. Local traffic to disrupted businesses and residences can access Monroe Street via Jefferson or Madison Streets. Detours will be designated, and motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For more information, contact Public Works at 703-435-6856 or 703-435-6860.

Special Planning Commission Meetings

The Planning Commission will hold two special work sessions to discuss the rewrite of the town's zoning ordinance, Aug. 22 and Sept. 26. Commissioners will also host a community meeting Thursday, Sept. 15 to explain the draft ordinance that is taking shape and to hear from citizens about proposed zoning provisions. A map showing new names for many districts will also be presented.

The zoning ordinance is a chapter of the Town of Herndon Code and it governs the use of land. This ordinance provides regulations for new development, redevelopment, infill development, home occupations, placement of decks and accessory structures, and many other things. These regulations can be viewed at any of the Fairfax County public libraries, the Herndon Municipal Center at 777 Lynn Street, Herndon, or the Town's web site at http://www.herndon-va.gov.

As town staff and commissioners review the zoning ordinance, they welcome comments and opinions. You may express your views in public meetings, or by submitting written comments to the Herndon Department of Community Development, P. O. Box 427, Herndon, Virginia, 20172-0427, or by calling the Herndon Department of Community Development at 703-787-7380.

Both work sessions are Mondays, and all meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 765 Lynn Street. Public comment is not heard at work sessions, but the Sept. 15 meeting will be open for comment.

Town Council Day Labor Hearing

The Council will discuss the application for a regulated day-labor site during a scheduled Aug. 11 work session, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Individuals are welcome to attend the work session, but public comment will not be taken.

Comment will be taken during the council's public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m.

For Tuesday's public hearing, individuals may enter the Council Chambers through the Herndon Municipal Center Lobby, 777 Lynn Street, starting at 5 p.m. Individuals wishing to speak will be registered on a speakers' list. The order of the speakers' list and access to the municipal facilities will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Individuals will not be allowed to pre-register. Signs will not be permitted inside any of the municipal facilities.

Individuals may continue to submit written comments to the Mayor and council through the Town Clerk's office by email: town.clerk@herndon-va.gov or US mail: Viki L. Wellershaus, Town Clerk, PO Box 427, Herndon, Virginia 20172.

Additional details about the council's public hearing process will be posted on the Town's Web site, http://herndon-va.gov, under "What's New," during the week of August 8.

Street Closure

Lynn Street, between Station and Center Streets, will be closed to thru traffic at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16 in anticipation of the scheduled Town Council public hearing. Handicap parking will be permitted on Lynn Street and in the HMC parking garage, which may be accessed via Center Street.

Tennis Tournament

Cascades Technologies, inc. is sponsoring this year's third annual CTi Tennis Classic, scheduled for Aug. 20 and 21 at the Sports and Health Clubs at Worldgate.

The tournament will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Worldgate Sport & Health Club, 13037 Worldgate Drive in Herndon.

All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Vecinos Unidos/Neighbors United, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping Herndon's youth by assisting and supporting children who are targeted for failure in society. The approach taken by the organization to accomplish this was to provide a safe and non-intimidating community outreach. Students needing a place to go after school to do their homework while being supervised, can attend Vecinos Unidos' after school homework assistance program at the Neighborhood Resource Center. Other programs offered to area youth through Vecinos Unidos include a Quantum Opportunities and Safe Haven Program — funded by the Eisenhower Foundation, pre-school support programs, youth soccer and summer activities, among other things.

For businesses wishing to help sponsor this year's tennis tournament, contact Alfredo Casta at 703-471-6425.

Tax-deductible monetary donations will also be accepted to help Vecinos Unidos purchase new computers and new software to help students achieve more. Checks can be mailed to Vecinos Unidos/Neighbors United, Inc. 1033 Sterling Road, suite 203, Herndon VA 20170.

Smithsonian Courses Going Fast

Tickets are still available for the last of a Smithsonian Summer Series pilot programs, including A Cole Porter Sing-along, set for Aug. 17, and a presentation on America's Inter-National Pastime: Latinos in the Game of Baseball, set for Aug. 25.

The sing-along will feature professional singer Rosa Lamoreaux, who will take the audience through Cole Porter's various genres of songs. Tickets are $18 for general admission, $15 for members. The event will take place at Frying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road.

Tim Wendel will present America's Inter-National Pastime, telling stories of baseball stars including Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, Pedro Martinez, Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez. His talk will feature the rise of Latino superstars in the game. Admission is free, but tickets are required. The event will be held at Herndon Middle School, 900 Locust Street.

The Smithsonian Associates has collaborated with the Council for the Arts of Herndon to bring programs to the greater Herndon community, making programming more accessible to residents of Fairfax County and Loudoun County. The pilot program series is fully supported by Stanley Martin Companies, Inc. For tickets and information call 202-357-3030 or visit www.residentassociates.org or www.herndonarts.org.

Art Reception for Sandi Galle

The Council for the Arts of Herndon is holding an Art Reception for Sandi Galle, photographer, sponsored by Whole Foods Market in Reston, on Monday, Aug. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet the photographer, mingle with fellow art lovers, and view the stunning photographs that Galle has taken during her travels across the globe.

Galle is an active member of the Council for the Arts of Herndon's "Arts in Public Places" program. Light refreshments will be served. The artwork will be on display at Whole Foods Market, 11660 Plaza America Drive, Reston, until Oct. 31. Contact the Council office at 703-689-9535 or visit http://www.herndonarts.org.

Citizen Police Academy

The 11th session of the Citizen Police Academy will begin Aug. 31. Classes will be held every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. until Nov. 16. The academy is held at the Herndon Police Station.

Participants will be given instruction in: Community Policing, Investigations, Traffic Enforcement, Police K-9, Forensics and Evidence Collection and other topics. There will also be tours of the Adult Detention Center, a trip to the firing range, and ride-along opportunities. The class is limited to the first 20 students. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and need not live in the Town of Herndon, however Town residents receive first consideration to attend. For more information contact Senior Police Officer Dexter Morgan at 703-435-6881, ext. 294, or dexter.morgan@herndon-va.gov.